But what happens when you gloss over the statistics and realise that the happy bubble you have been living in for the past fifteen months has all been a twisted, torturous path of lies? What if you realised that the person you loved wasn’t who they claimed to be any longer?
With the once sacred and happy memories now turned into hatred and despair, Charlie must now follow her instincts to either forget her past and move on or force the hand that holds the cards to her life to reshuffle the deck before it leads onto the twisted future that lies in store.
What will she choose?
Can she forgive and forget for the only man her heart has ever loved?
(Please note that this book contains strong language and graphic scenes of a sexual nature which are intended for a more mature audience.)
The one thing I have enjoyed more than anything since starting this blog has been the opportunity to read and review some fantastic novels, whether it is from established authors, or new authors. So when the chance to read and ARC for Beth Ashworth's debut novel came up, I didn't have to think too long after having read the blurb. Am I glad I took that opportunity now? Hell yes!
Charlie (Charlotte) is working two jobs, to try to pay off her credit card bills. By day she has an apprenticeship in an upmarket boutique, that she is hoping will turn into a well paid permanent position. At night she is a part-time waitress. It is when she is waitressing one Saturday night that she meets Callum Ellis. The attraction is instant, the chemistry is potent.
We pick up the story thirteen months after that evening, when Charlie and Callum are in a happy, steady relationship. Charlie has moved in with Callum and their sex life is the envy of her friends Lucy and Amelia! Their life is perfect, sort off... Without giving too much away regarding the story line I will only say that when Charlie and Callum are together, they are the centre of each others world, but things start to slowly untangle, leaving Charlie to question their commitment to each other.
Things come to a head about half way through. This is when I was forced to take a break from the book as I was having trouble focusing through the tears! I don't often experience leaking eyes when reading, but when I do, I know that what I am reading has pulled me in and gripped me completely. I can say hand on heart, I can count on one hand the amount of authors who have been able to pull that type of reaction from me!
While the first part of the book is all about the happy life Charlie and Callum have carved out together, the second half is much more emotional. It deals with the devastation as Charlie tries to pick up the pieces of her life and move on. I found myself hoping they would speak to each other and sort it out. Then I would be thinking, screw him, move on, be strong. All the conflicting emotions you feel when a relationship that you thought was forever, turns out to be a lie, were all felt. I could feel myself balancing on that knife edge with Charlie, the confusion between 'I still love him, I don't want to move on' to the 'stuff him (or stronger words, if you are like me!!) he did this to us, not me'. All of these emotions swirling around and changing in a heart beat, were so well written I could feel myself going through them also. Despite this, I still didn't hate Callum's character. I knew that there was more to this than met the eye and secretly held out hope that they would find their way back to each other. It's a clever piece of writing by the author to still have you holding on to the hope that everything would work out, despite what had happened. Although at the same time I'd be cheering slightly everytime Charlie made a decision that would make her stronger and whole again.
As Charlie pulls herself together and finds the strength to make significant changes in her life, things take another twist and this is when the full picture is revealed.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, without hesitation.
Do I think this author is one to watch out for in the future? Definitely.
My Rating
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